The cruiser damaged in the crash. (Massachusetts State Police)
LONGMEADOW (WBZ-AM) -- A State Trooper was treated for minor injuries after police say a drunk driver crashed into his cruiser while going the wrong way down I-91 in Longmeadow.
The suspect, Yevgeniy Rudenko, 31 of West Springfield, was arrested at the scene. He was due in court later Wednesday on charges of OUI liquor, negligent operation of a motor vehicle, state highway wrong way violation, possession of an open container of alcohol while driving, marked lanes violation, and speeding.
State Police said Rudenko crossed into Massachusetts in a pickup truck from Connecticut on Route 91 around 10 p.m. Tuesday, and they received calls from drivers notifying them that the pickup was driving north on the southbound side.
A nearby trooper positioned his cruiser in front of the oncoming truck as it barreled toward him in the breakdown lane. The cruiser sustained significant damage--and police said Rudenko continued on, hitting two more vehicles before flipping over in Springfield.
A 33-year-old Florida woman and a 22-year-old Enfield, Connecticut woman, both struck in their cars by the suspect, were also taken to hospitals with injuries described by police as "incapacitating but non-life threatening."
The struck trooper was treated at Baystate Medical Center for minor injuries to his upper and lower body, but was released later Wednesday morning.
Rudenko's vehicle caught fire after it flipped, leaving Rudenko with minor injuries to his hands.